Microsoft Game Studios announced today that Ensemble Studios' action-based strategy game set in the Halo universe, Halo Wars, will be available in U.S. stores on March 3. Pre-orders for “Halo Wars” are taking place at participating retailers nationwide now. Fans who pre-order will receive an exclusive in-game Warthog with flame decals.
The game will also ship on March 3, 2009 in Canada, Mexico and South America. A few days earlier, on February 27, 2009, the game will be released in Europe and the Middle East, while Japan and other countries in Europe will get the game on February 26, 2009.
Microsoft also confirmed that there will be a Limited Collector’s Edition of Halo Wars that includes a special in-game “Honor Guard” Wraith, a graphic novel, six Leader cards and a “Spirit of Fire” patch. As an additional exclusive, limited edition owners will get early access to the in-game “Halo 3” Mythic Map Pack.
The Limited Collector’s Edition retails for an estimated retail price of $79.99, while the standard edition is available at $59.99. A first for a “Halo” franchise game, “Halo Wars” is rated “T” for Teen.
I know this has been a topic here at the 360-HQ before and that no one ever said it was a bad idea so i think you will all find this VG247 news post about one of the latest Major Nelson podcast to be more then enough to get your blood pumping and your mind set for some Crackdown 2.
VG247 reports: Microsoft’s given a less than subtle hint that a sequel to Realtime World’s beloved open-city 360 shooter, Crackdown, is a little more than fantasy.
“I’m here to tell you on behalf of the community, I want - we need - another Crackdown,” Xbox Live’s director of programming, Larry Hryb, told MGS boss Phil Spencer in the latest Major Nelson podcast.
“That’s all I’m going to say, so you don’t have to confirm for deny anything. I’m just saying we want it.”
“Yes, Crackdown’s one of my favourites,” said Spencer. “I’ll leave it at that.”
A sequel to Crackdown never materialized as “the numbers just didn’t add up,” we were told by Realtime Worlds studio boss Colin Macdonald told us this summer.
Macdonald himself said at the time that the studio was open to negotiations on a second game.
“I don’t think the door’s closed,” he said. “Obviously, right now we’re tied up with APB and everything else, but hopefully in the future we’ll have the resource and something can be worked out with Microsoft.”
Crackdown, a first-party Microsoft game, shipped in February 2007 to general critical acclaim.
There's a new Fable 2 patch making its way through Microsoft certification and our friends over at Lionhead Studios made a list (and checked it twice) of all the changes, including the removal of child assassinations.
No firm release date for the patch has been announced, but you can glance over the list of Fable 2 patch fixes after the break. The update, for the most part, will be enthusiastically welcomed by gamers, especially those who experienced those evil Abbot and Charlie bugs. Also, due to controversy stemming from folks which are probably pro-children activists, the patch will make it so that your children can no longer be targeted for assassination.
* The Ritual / Monk's Quest – Fixed the issue with the Abbott becoming unresponsive if you leave Oakfield before he finishes talking. This will fix the problem if you've already hit it, too.
* Rescuing Charlie / Rescue My Baby – After rescuing Charlie, you are now able to interact with objects.
* Guild Cave chest – Resolves any issues with previously inability to retrieve items unlocked from Limited Collector's Edition, website or Chicken Kickin' game. If you've already hit this bug you should now get your items.
* The Spire (Pt2) – No more issues with ship captain being unresponsive.
* The Hero of Skill (Pirate King) – You'll no longer get stuck during Hero of Skill quest (Bloodstone).
* T.O.B.Y. / Trouble In Bloodstone – You'll no longer get stuck during T.O.B.Y. quests (Bloodstone).
* Your child will no longer be chosen as an assassination target.
* Furniture Shop in Albion (Bowerstone) will now always have something for sale.
* Additional unspecified fixes.
Airburst Comes to Xbox 360 - High Altitude, Balloon-busting Battles for Xbox Live Arcade
New York — Freeverse and Strange Flavour today announced that Airburst is well into development for Xbox Live Arcade. With quick pick-up-and-play action, this all-new Airburst is an ideal Live Arcade title and promises to be one of the best party games on the platform.
Floating high above the ground on a platform made of balloons, you have to fend-off the deadly chainsaw-bladed burster ball, and redirect it toward your opponents' balloons. Airburst has crazy power-ups, unique character powers, and a wealth of game types to reward strategy as well as reflexes.
Airburst is being developed in the U.K. by Freeverse's partner studio, Strange Flavour. Aaron Fothergill, Managing Director of Strange Flavour, has said, "The power of the Xbox360 is allowing us to do some really amazing things in terms of graphics and features. We think gamers will be very pleased with what we have in-store."
The XBLA version of Airburst is a new game, which is a fusion of all the best elements of the original Airburst and Airburst Extreme, with a dash of new features just for the Xbox 360.
More details on the title will be released in the coming weeks.
If your at all interested in the new downloadable content to be released for GTA IV then you might want to check out this VG247 post for all the details your going to need to be the first to get a peek at it, but one thing here is for sure and that is i will be all over it as soon as its up and reporting it to you.
VG247 reports: GAMERS TO TRAVEL DOWN THE ROAD OF “THE LOST AND DAMNED” FOR THE FIRST TIME AT 2008 VGAS
Exclusive World Premiere of Rockstar Games’ First “Grand Theft Auto IV” Episode to Debut at Spike’s Video Game Awards
NEW YORK, NY, December 5, 2008 – Today, Rockstar Games and Spike TV announced that “Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned” will world premiere at the 2008 Video Game Awards, live Sunday December 14 at 9:00pm, ET (tape delay on West Coast).
Since its launch in April, “Grand Theft Auto IV” has garnered unprecedented praise and acclaim worldwide, with a staggering nine nominations for the 2008 Video Game Awards including “Game of the Year”.
Developed by series creator Rockstar North and set in Liberty City, “The Lost and Damned” features a new main character and plot that intersects with the storyline of “Grand Theft Auto IV”; new missions that offer an entirely fresh way to explore Liberty City with new multiplayer modes, weapons and vehicles; and a diverse soundtrack with additional music – all with the incredible production values that are the trademarks of “Grand Theft Auto”.
Available exclusively on Xbox LIVE worldwide on February 17, 2009, “Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned” requires players to have the full version of “Grand Theft Auto IV” for Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE membership to download.
The sixth annual “VGAs,” hosted by Jack Black, will bring together megastars from the worlds of video games, Hollywood, music, sports and more to celebrate the outstanding achievements within the video game industry over the past year, and world premiere the hottest games of 2009 and beyond. The 2-hour extravaganza will premiere LIVE on Spike TV Sunday, December 14 at 9:00pm, ET (tape delay on West Coast) from Sony Picture Studios in Culver City, CA.
About Spike TV
Spike TV is available in 97.7 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), MTV Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com.
Electronic Arts announced today that 3 on 3 NHL® Arcade - an all-new downloadable experience from EA SPORTS - is in development at EA Canada by the team that produced the critically acclaimed NHL 09. 3 on 3 NHL Arcade is a no rules, fast paced, hockey experience that gamers of all types can enjoy.
This fresh take on the NHL Hockey franchise will be available as a download in February 2009 on Xbox LIVE Arcade for 800 MS Points.
“Available through a simple digital download, 3 on 3 NHL Arcade is perfect for sports fans who want to experience the thrill of NHL hockey at a great value without worrying about the rules of the sport,” said Dave McCarthy, vice president, EA SPORTS. “Accessibility is really important. We have worked to make sure that come February, 3 on 3 NHL Arcade is a lot of fun for players of all skill levels.”
With fast paced action, crushing hits and loads of room to experiment, 3 on 3 NHL Arcade will have gamers from all walks of life excited about hockey. With no rules to hinder the action, deliver devastating checks that send your opponent over the boards and watch as he has to skate back onto the ice. If the goalie comes out of his crease to play the puck, check him. Exaggerated player-looks take center stage with 40 of the top NHL stars, representing every team, skating around the miniature rink. With game-changing power-ups falling on the ice throughout each session, serious is not the name of this game. Fly down the ice with a super-speed skater, and beat a giant sprawling goalie with a trick move for that highlight reel finish. With two control schemes to choose from, players can pick between button controls that allow gamers of all skill levels to pass, shoot, hit and break out the all-new trick moves with ease, or the more advanced Skill Stick controls from NHL 09. 3 on 3 NHL Arcade also brings the online experience players have come to expect from EA SPORTS. In addition to standard ranked matches, 3 on 3 NHL Arcade allows the ability for three players on one console to play three other players on another console anywhere in the world.
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